Thailand
Located just thirty minutes from Chiang Mai, the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden promotes research and biodiversity, offering visitors a chance to discover exotic and tropical plants of stunning beauty. Here’s an overview of this attraction.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden: A green and economical escape less than 30 kilometers from Chiang Mai
When Chiang Mai is mentioned, thoughts of ancient Lanna temples, the famous city center zoo, or national parks adorned with mountains and waterfalls come to mind. For a different perspective on the Rose of the North, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is an excellent choice. Imagine thousands of plants thriving in various climates from around the world: banana trees, orchids, carnivorous flowers, and savanna-like vegetation, all in one unique place. The plants are grouped thematically, showcasing the floral richness of Asia. Even if botany isn’t your forte, Queen Sirikit Garden is truly worth a visit. The mountainous setting provides an ideal backdrop for rejuvenation, relaxation, and moments of tranquility away from Chiang Mai’s hustle and bustle.
History of the Botanic Park
Established in 1992, the garden's foundation was spurred by growing interest in Thailand’s botanical species and the urgent need for their conservation for educational and cultural purposes. The Thai government acquired a 6,500-acre plot in the wild mountains of Doi Suthep to create a center for plant study and research. The mountain climate, cool and humid, along with three rivers providing ample water, create optimal conditions for the project's success.
Over the decades, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden has hosted visits from numerous landscape architects and botany experts from around the globe. Initially named Mae Sa Botanic Garden, it was renamed in 1994 in honor of Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara, the wife of the late King Rama IX and the current queen mother of Thailand. Today, the site operates under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
Today: A premier tourist attraction
As Thailand's first garden of its kind, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden spans an oasis of greenery across a thousand hectares. It welcomes visitors in Mae Rim, less than 30 minutes from the renowned city of Chiang Mai, adjacent to Doi Suthep Pui National Park. Since opening in the 1990s, the garden has been a popular destination for couples, families, students, and biology researchers alike. Whether for children's enjoyment or to pay homage to Mother Nature, the remarkable collection at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is truly worth exploring.
Tour of the Botanic Garden
The garden is divided into several thematic zones, showcasing plants from tropical and temperate countries, grown outdoors or under glass, herbaceous or woody… There's a variety for every taste.
Exploring the garden can be done by car, motorcycle, or on foot. Private transport is more convenient given the garden's vast area. Alternatively, visitors can take the pleasure train managed by the park to explore key attractions. Thai and English signs provide information on the trees, shrubs, and flowers in each section.
Horticulture enthusiasts will delight in seeing azaleas, yellow tulips, or rhododendrons whose flowers range from yellow to vibrant red. And that's not all; other flowering plants will leave you enchanted. It’s hard to miss the cacti, which resemble candelabra, pumpkin, cone, or racket shapes.
Banana Avenue
At this first stop, visitors walk amidst a forest of banana plants. They're not trees per se but herbaceous plants with broad, drooping leaves wrapped around a pseudo-trunk. Locals enjoy eating banana flowers in a delicious salad—an absolute must-try!
Rose Garden
Next, the rose garden showcases varieties from all over. When these roses bloom in spring, their size can rival that of your face. Children can spend hours marveling at the brightly colored petals.
Glasshouse Gardens
The highlight of the visit is the Glasshouse, situated atop a singing waterfall. It features a dozen thematic gardens: four balcony gardens and four greenhouse gardens. Species are grouped by their countries of origin or physiological peculiarities and cultivated in well-maintained greenhouses, where growing conditions—light, wind, humidity, and warmth—are carefully monitored.
Savanna House
This section displays typical savanna species.
Orchid House
Different orchid species thrive in this greenhouse, competing in brilliance and color.
Carnivorous Plant House
This section houses a rich collection of carnivorous plants.
Enjoy the view from the canopy walkway
The latest addition to the botanic garden is the Flying Draco Trail, a 400-meter-long canopy walkway towering 20 meters above ground with a glass floor offering breathtaking views of orchards and flower fields. Inaugurated in December 2015, it’s considered one of the most beautiful avenues in the Land of Smiles.
After this botanical lesson, head to the café lounge for a gourmet break. Near the greenhouses, a gift shop sells bouquets, flower wreaths, plant seeds, and authentic handicrafts. If the mountain's fresh air beckons you to hike, the botanic park offers several marked trails for venturing into the forest and communing with nature. For those seeking a less active pursuit, the natural science museum recounts significant milestones in human civilization, such as the Stone Age, the advent of agriculture, or the invention of the bicycle.
Practical information
Ticket prices and opening hours
The botanic garden is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance fees are 50 baht per person, or approximately €1.4. Children are charged half the price (approximately €0.7).
Getting there
Mae Rim district is a half-hour drive from Chiang Mai city center. The road distance is 27 km.
To explore the garden treasures, visitors can choose between a motorbike, a car, or walking. There's a secure parking area available for those opting to walk. Parking fees apply.
Nearby attractions
After visiting the botanic garden, continue exploring at Maesa Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai Tiger Kingdom, Monkey Farm, or Butterfly Sanctuary.
